Hundreds of wines, spirits tasted at Sip & Sample event
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y.>> Industry members had the opportunity to taste hundreds of imported and domestic wines and spirits at the New York State Liquor Store Association’s second annual Sip & Sample Tradeshow.
The event, held Wednesday afternoon at the Saratoga Springs City Center in downtown Saratoga Springs featured a total of 75 vendors showcasing their products, including some handcrafted New Yorkmade wines and spirits.
The Spa City tradeshow, now in its second year, is a celebration of the wine and spirits industry.
From Captain Morgan’s new LocoNut rum to Adirondack Winery’s latest Lake Winds Wine, the tradeshow had a large selection of products both locally made and mass produced.
The inaugural trade show happened in June of 2016, but this year’s second annual event took place earlier in the spring.
Prior to last year, the Capital City-based association has held similar gatherings in the fall in Albany and Rochester and due
to high demand decided to offer another annual trade show in a different season.
“We are proud to offer this opportunity to restaurants, bars and liquor stores across the state ahead of the busy summer season,” said New York State Liquor Store Association tradeshow chair Steve Carpenter, in a press release. “This unique opportunity allows buyers to sample a wide variety of product before making purchases for their business, as well as the ability to discuss any of the items being sampled.”
All restaurant, bar and tavern owners, managers and staff from around the state were encouraged to attend this free event, as well as liquor store owners, managers and employees.
Area industry members had the chance to try first hand what they could be serving or selling this summer.
“I’m having a lot of fun,” said Amanda Brown, manager of Spa City Tap & Barrel on Caroline Street in downtown Saratoga Springs. “It’s a good way to learn about products and get them in our bar.” In particular, Brown was looking for anything that could do in a refreshing summer cocktail, she said while trying a seasonal Jägermeister drink.
On the other side of the sampling table, small business owners like Sasha Pardy of Adirondack Winery in Lake George can show off their newest products.
“I think it’s always really important to get in front of the restaurants, the retail stores, the bars, before the summer season hits,” she said, between serving samples of her Pineapple Mango Fizz wine cocktail, made with a mango-infused riesling. “It really puts you in that tropical summertime feeling,” she said.
Adirondack Winery found the experience at last year’s tradeshow to be successful, so Pardy decided to do it again. She liked that the event happened earlier this year, noting that it makes sense to prepare for the summer season, particularly in the Saratoga Springs and Lake George area.
Other producers traveled in from different parts of the state to participate in the tradeshow. Rochester-based Iron Smoke Distillery was represented at the local event by Sarah Peterson, who poured samples of the company’s Rattlesnake Rosie’s Apple Pie Whiskey. “This is great because we get access to people we normally wouldn’t get access to,” Peterson said. This distillery’s products, from the ingredients to the artwork, she continued, are “truly 100 percent New York.”